Beckett pitches no-hitter as Dodgers beat Phillies

PHILADELPHIA — Josh Beckett started talking about throwing a no-hitter in the fourth inning, ignoring traditional superstitions and making his catcher nervous.

The big, folksy Texan had stuff that was too dominant to worry about a jinx.

Beckett pitched the first no-hitter of his standout career and the first in the majors this season, leading the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers over the Philadelphia Phillies 6-0 on Sunday.

A year ago, Beckett was nearly derailed by a nerve condition that left him unable to feel his fingertips. On this day, he was downright nasty.

“I was joking about it because I was waiting for them to get a hit,” Beckett said. “You don't think at this point of your career that you're going to do that. I just don't feel that my stuff is good enough to do that. I'm probably as hard on myself as anybody.”

Beckett stuck out six, walked three and didn't come close to allowing a hit against a lineup that included two former NL MVPs and four former All-Stars. Beckett has credentials, too: A three-time All-Star, he also was a World Series MVP.

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The 34-year-old right-hander threw 128 pitches. He fanned five-time All-Star Chase Utley on a called strike three to end the game.

Beckett mixed a sharp fastball with a slow, deceptive curve that kept hitters off-balance while retiring 23 straight batters at one stretch.“I knew he had something special going early,” L.A. catcher Drew Butera said. “I was a nervous wreck from the fourth inning on when he said he had never taken one this far. He's a guy who is going to keep it loose and he didn't want anybody to be thinking about it.”